Canterbury Tales

THE SAILOR’S PROLOGUE Our host upon his stirrups stood, anon, And said: “Good men, now hearken, every one; This was

THE SAILOR’S TALE A merchant, dwelling, once, at Saint Denis, Was rich, for which men held him wise, and he

THE PRIORESS’S PROLOGUE The Merry Words of the Host to the Sailor and to My Lady Prioress Well said, by

THE MONK’S TALE De Casibus Virorum Illustrium I will bewail in manner of tragedy The ills of those that stood

THE PARDONER’S TALE In Flanders, once, there was a company Of young companions given to folly, Riot and gambling, brothels

THE REEVE’S PROLOGUE When folk had laughed their fill at this nice pass Of Absalom and clever Nicholas, Then divers

THE TALE OF MELIBEE A young man named Melibee, mighty and rich, begot on Prudence, his wife, a daughter who

THE MONK’S PROLOGUE The Merry Words of the Host to the Monk When ended was my tale of Melibee And

EPILOGUE TO THE NUN’S PRIEST’S TALE “Sir nun’s priest,” said our host, and that anon, “Now blessed be your breech

THE PHYSICIAN’S TALE There was, as tells us Titus Livius, A knight whose name was called Virginius, Fulfilled of honour